College Professor · Salary Comparison · 2026
College Professor Salary: Boston, MA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for College Professors in Boston, MA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$85,000 vs $77,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$52,469 vs $62,097
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$46,057 vs $57,377
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Boston, MA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $85,000▲ | $77,000 | +$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,450▲ | $59,290 | +$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $108,800▲ | $98,560 | +$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $136,000▲ | $123,200 | +$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 5% | 0%▲ | +5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $52,469 | $62,097▲ | -$9,628 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $74,613▲ | $71,148 | +$3,465 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $46,057 | $57,377▲ | -$11,320 |
| Total Employment | 63,000 | 57,000 | +6,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Boston, MA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $8,000 more (median: $85,000 vs $77,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($52,469 vs $62,097 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.